- Work with us
- Land stewards
Land stewards
- Businesses & individualsBusinesses & individuals
- CollaboratorsCollaborators
- Our projects
- About us
- Resources
Cùl Mòr
In the heart of the Scottish Highlands, the Cùl Mòr restoration project is helping to bring a landscape back to life. Restoring degraded peatland supports climate action, protects biodiversity, and strengthens a globally and nationally important ecosystem.
Set in the dramatic landscapes of the Coigach National Scenic Area, the Cùl Mòr peatland restoration project covers 83.66 hectares of land owned by the Assynt Foundation, a community trust working to protect and regenerate this unique Highland environment. East of the iconic Cùl Mòr mountain and nestled within a patchwork of nationally designated areas—including the Inverpolly Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation—this project is breathing life back into degraded peatland.
Once damaged and leaking carbon, this peatland is now on a path to renewal. Techniques such as ditch and drain blocking, hag re-profiling, and bare peat re-vegetation are helping to raise the water table and encourage the return of peat-forming plant species. These plants act as natural carbon sinks, locking carbon into the landscape and building new layers of peat as they grow and decay in waterlogged conditions.
Cùl Mòr is expected to prevent in the region of 11,902 tCO₂e from entering the atmosphere over the next 80 years, based on Peatland Code emissions calculations. But the benefits go well beyond carbon. Restoration here will support wildlife, improve water quality, and strengthen the resilience of one of Scotland’s most iconic natural areas.
We are grateful to the businesses and individuals who supported this work by investing in the carbon benefits it delivers, playing a part in restoring a globally significant landscape while contributing to a lower-carbon future. There are still credits available if you'd like to join them.
Certified under the Peatland Code, the UK’s government-backed standard for carbon-funded peatland restoration.
Peatlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth and a stark example of how important our natural environment is to our wellbeing. Occupying just 3% of the Earth’s land surface, peatlands are our largest carbon store on land. They are places where people derive clean water and food, and can act as buffers for environmental disasters, such as flooding. They are also of global significance for biodiversity with the majority of peatland species and habitats rare, threatened or declining.
- Inger Anderson, Director of the IUCN
Our inolvement
At Cùl Mòr, we helped the Assynt Foundation unlock the carbon value of their peatland restoration project by guiding the project through Peatland Code certification and enabling early access to carbon finance when it was most needed.
Step 1
Led the path to certification
We assessed the site’s eligibility under the Peatland Code, modelled carbon potential, and supported the Foundation through the validation process. Our expertise ensured a smooth, successful application.
Step 2
Enabled early access to funds
Originally under a commission-based agreement, we responded to cash flow requirements by switching to a fixed-price contract with immediate payment for all unsold units. In recognition of project quality, we paid the highest fixed price we had ever paid for Peatland Code Pending Issuance Units.
Step 3
Connected credits with purpose-driven buyers
Once issued, we led the sale of a pre-agreed volume of Cùl Mòr’s Pending Issuance Units, securing support from buyers such as Consenna, Everoze Partners, and onboard:earth. We managed all aspects of contracting and transactions.
Step 4
Backing long-term outcomes
We hope to remain involved with supporting the Assynt Foundation with the on-going verification of the project to Peatland Code requirements, helping ensure lasting impact for climate, biodiversity, and community.
Project status
Registered
Project and plans are registered on IHS Markit.
Project validated
Documentation is audited, but work and verification are yet to occur.
Restoration validated
Work is complete. An initial check has been carried out by a third party.
Verified
Meets Code standards, verified by an accredited assessor. Ongoing checks ahead.
Forest Carbon has been really fundamental in the whole process for us. They've provided us with all of the help and guidance and assistance that we've needed. We'd have been stuck without them, to be honest.
Co-benefits
Biodiveristy uplift
Restoring peatland within this Special Area of Conservation supports species like Otters and Freshwater Pearl Mussels, both of which are protected and rely on clean water and intact habitats to thrive.
Improved water quality
This project filters and absorbs water, improving downstream quality for both nature and local communities.
Community involvement
Members of the local community are involved in the project and will share in the benefits, for example, the creation of green jobs.
Wellbeing & connection
A healthier peatland enriches the experience for visitors, deepening their connection to this striking landscape and supporting wellbeing through access to restored nature.
Water regulation
Restoration will help the peatland hold more water, slowing runoff during heavy rain and limiting soil erosion. It also boosts resilience to drought, which is expected to become more common with climate change.
Funded by
Want to support Cùl Mòr?
This project is funded through the sale of carbon credits (PIUs). To purchase credits and support its ongoing impact, fill out our contact form and a member of the team will be in touch shortly.
